I was a B.Tech who appeared for placements in 2011. I had a <8 GPA and zero coding skills. Here’s a summary of my learnings (mostly things I wish I’d done):
1. Start applying off-campus:
Applying to companies of your interest off campus will give you a headstart in many ways. First up, it will ensure that you prepare your CV ahead of time, and refine it in multiple iterations. If you get selected for interviews, will also get you used to typical questions and the experience of selling yourself to a total stranger. You will also get used to rejections, which is a great trait to have in the run-up to placements.
Most importantly, however, you will have a chance to pursue a career in a field of interest. It is very difficult to get a job off-campus, but placements are a mad rush and under the tremendous pressure it’s easy to lose sight of your interests and settle for whatever job you can manage. Applying on your own will give you more perspective and might even land you a job that you’ll like (though it might not pay much).
2. Prepare for CAT:
This is a no-brainer, but is very important. Most selection tests will ask a lot of CAT-type questions and preparing well for the exam will give you a big headstart.
3. Be aware:
Do your homework well. Talk to alumni, find out how selection processes have worked historically. Figure out if you need to make separate CVs for different companies. Go to pre-placement talks and find out about companies. Read about current events and company histories so you can appear smart in interviews.
Come 1st December, and presence of mind is your best friend. A lot of crazy stuff happens during placements, and you’ll need to keep track of everything. People will form cheating groups before company tests. There will be additional shortlists, last-minute opportunities. Be in the know at all times. It’s a vicious race, after all. Befriend a few Placement committee members (at least), keep checking the notice board and visiting the TnP office if necessary. Know that jugaad works. Be good at it.
4. Know that this is a lot about luck, and is ultimately irrelevant:
In the end, a large component of success in the current format of placement is pure, dumb luck. A sudden inspiration during an interview, a brainfreeze in the middle of a puzzle, or a visible stain on your shirt can change everything. The competition in your GD group, the panel you get randomly selected for, the interviewer’s state of mind and the riddles he’ll choose to ask you are few of the many factors completely beyond your control. A lot of people use gut instinct to select, and if they don’t like the way you speak, that might irreversibly bias them against you. It’s a human process, remember that. It’s not 100% fair or meritocratic and will never be.
Failure in getting a Day 1/2/3 job is not the end of the world. The chances of finding a lifelong career during these heady days are remote, if not zero. So know that there’s a lot you can do for your career and life beyond placements. Approach it with a relaxed frame of mind. A very common mistake people make is getting caught up in the frantic mass frenzy of desperation about getting a good job here. This is not helped by the high peer pressure and general ‘studapa’ associated with an ‘awesome’ Day One job.
It doesn’t matter. Just breathe deeply, know what you want (as much as possible), prepare for it, be present in the moment and go in with a level head. You’ll do well.
All the best!